Global Economic Crisis Burdens ALTANA

ALTANA is strongly affected by the worldwide economic crisis and reports significant decreases in sales and earnings. In the first quarter of 2009, sales fell by 30 percent to €251.8 million; in the prior-year period sales had amounted to €357.6 million.
    
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased by 71 percent from €71.7 million in 2008 to €20.8 million. As a consequence, the EBITDA margin was down to 8.3 percent and is therefore significantly lower than the prior-year figure of 20.1 percent.
    
Sales in the BYK Additives & Instruments division fell by 34 percent from €120.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 to €79 million. The ECKART Effect Pigments division recorded a sales decrease of 39 percent to €57.6 million. In the ACTEGA Coatings and Sealants division, sales remained relatively stable, decreasing by about 8 percent from €55.4 million in the prior year to €50.7 million in the first quarter of 2009.
    
In late summer 2008, ALTANA had already introduced a comprehensive program to improve efficiency and cut costs. It comprises, among others, a reduction of personnel costs due to operational shutdown periods and short-time work, the postponement of investment measures and a worldwide qualified hiring freeze. In total, the estimated savings potential for 2009 amounts to approximately €50 million; more than €10 million were realized in the first quarter of the current business year.
    
“Despite our broad positioning in the market, the worldwide economic crisis has also affected ALTANA,“ stated Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. “In such difficult times we are in an advantageous position of having a solid financial structure.“
    
The company’s present focus was on maintaining margins and cash flow as well as on a consistent and successful implementation of the set of measures to reduce costs, said Dr. Wolfgruber, adding that ALTANA’s business model was still intact. ”We wish to emerge strengthened from this crisis, building on our innovative strength and market position,” added Dr. Wolfgruber.